To discuss and apply narrative theory

Vladimer ProppTodorov

Levi StraussBarthes

To discuss and apply narrative theory

• http://www.slideshare.net/guest9e3b3b/narrative-theory-2104298

• Grid

Narrative form : expository mode

• The narrative form must be based upon evidence. Modern documentaries are less scripted than their predecessors and appear more observational, resulting in the audience arguably being placed in the position of a voyeur.

Semiotics

• Roland Barthes

• Signs and signifiers

• What did you use to develop the narrative?

• HANDOUT

Parallelism

• This technique asks us to draw parallels between characters, settings and situations prompting the audience to actively compare and contrast these elements to identify their similarities. In doing so the audience makes sense of the unfolding narrative. Frequently a documentary will feature a :narrator, the most common is the non-character narrator who remains and anonymous intermediary.

• A character narrator is used when a narrator is actually a character in the documentary. Usually male.

• Authoritive voice- recognition and trust

Lighting, Camera & Editing• Can originate from the environment• Hand-held subjective view• Steadicam – objective view.• Editing: fade-out/ fade-in/ dissolve [ when the shot is briefly

superimposed with the beginning of the next/ wipe. • Spatial relations – moving from one shot to another, the audience

relates this juxtaposition through similarity, difference or development and creates meaning eg if we see a shot of a person running for a bus & then a shot of a bus stopping we assume that the two are connected, they have spatial relation to one another.

• How did you use these technical codes to develop your narrative?

Lighting, Camera & Editing• Can originate from the environment• Hand-held subjective view• Steadicam – objective view.• Editing: fade-out/ fade-in/ dissolve [ when the shot is briefly

superimposed with the beginning of the next/ wipe. • Spatial relations – moving from one shot to another, the audience

relates this juxtaposition through similarity, difference or development and creates meaning eg if we see a shot of a person running for a bus & then a shot of a bus stopping we assume that the two are connected, they have spatial relation to one another.

• How did you use these technical codes to develop your narrative?